Patent application title: Electric Fence Power Control for Temporary Interruptions

Sign up to receive free email alerts when patent applications with chosen keywords are publishedSIGN UP

Abstract:

A mounting arrangement for mounting exposed filamentary electrical
conductors on fences intended for conversion to electrified fences. The
arrangement provides fence engaging panels for mounting, which panels
include electrical contacts. The panels may include posts having grooves
for tying a filamentary conductor to the panel independently of
connection to an electrical contact. The panels may be fastened by
fasteners which resemble ratchet action cable ties, and which are formed
integrally with the collars. Holes are formed in the panels to accept
fasteners such as screws. Collars may be arcuate members, planar panel
members, or may comprise a plurality of planar panels hinged to one
another. Collars and associated contacts may be installed in numbers and
mounting arrangements assuring two pole break for each otherwise
energized conductors where those conductors span a gate, thereby fully
de-energizing the gate automatically when opened, and automatically
re-establishing electrical continuity when the gate is closed.

Claims:

1. A live conductor mount for mounting an electrically energized
filamentary conductor on a post of a fence to be converted to an
electrified fence, comprising an electrically insulated collar configured
to at least partially encircle one of the posts of a fence, wherein said
collar defines an inside surface which is disposed to face the post when
said collar partially encircles the post, an outside surface facing away
from the post when said collar partially encircles the post, and a
hypothetical center line which is located within the confines of said
inside surface and is oriented along said inside surface and which is
vertically oriented when said live conductor mount is placed on the post
of the fence, and comprises at least one integral fastener for engaging
the post to secure said collar to the post, and at least one electrically
conductive contact which is disposed at said outside surface of said
collar and is movably mounted on said collar so as to accommodate minor
misalignments with another said electrically conductive contact of
another said live conductor mount.

2. The live conductor mount according to claim 1, wherein said collar
further comprises at least one conductor support tower disposed on said
outside surface, said conductor tower comprising a conductor engagement
structure which is disposed to engage a filamentary conductor so as to
retain the filamentary conductor thereto.

3. The live conductor mount according to claim 2, wherein said conductor
tower is angularly spaced apart from said electrically conductive contact
when said collar is mounted on the post of the fence.

4. The live conductor mount according to claim 1, wherein said
electrically conductive contact is mounted on said collar to move along a
direction of travel which is substantially oriented to pass through said
center line of said collar.

5. The live conductor mount according to claim 1, wherein said
electrically conductive contact comprises an enlarged head bearing a
curved contact surface.

7. The live conductor mount according to claim 1, wherein said
electrically conductive contact is mounted to said collar to move along a
direction of travel which is substantially tangential to and spaced apart
from said center line of said collar.

8. The live conductor mount according to claim 1, further comprising a
spring disposed to urge said electrically conductive contact in a
predetermined direction of travel.

9. The live conductor mount according to claim 8, wherein said collar
comprises a contact support tower disposed to support said electrically
conductive contact and to guide said electrically conductive contact to
move linearly along said direction of travel, and wherein said spring is
contained within said contact support tower.

10. The live conductor mount according to claim 8, wherein said
electrically conductive contact is movably mounted to said collar in a
direction which is substantially tangential to said center line, and said
electrically conductive contact comprises an elongated tab bearing a
first hole for seating a spring and a second hole for engaging a said
filamentary electrical conductor, and said spring is a coil spring having
a proximal end anchored to said collar and a distal end disposed to
engage said first hole of said spring.

11. The live conductor mount according to claim 1, wherein said fastener
comprises at least one male strap and at least one female strap
comprising a socket having a unidirectional engagement element disposed
to receive said male strap and to oppose withdrawal of said male strap
from said socket by ratchet action.

12. The live conductor mount according to claim 1, wherein said collar is
flexible and generally arcuate along the direction of said hypothetical
center line, whereby said collar adjustably conforms to fence posts which
are circular in cross section.

13. The live conductor mount according to claim 1, wherein said collar
comprises a panel comprising a planar interior surface and bearing said
at least one electrically conductive contact and at least one hole for
passing an elongate fastener through said flat panel to enable fastener
mounting of said collar to a fence post.

14. The live conductor mount according to claim 1, wherein said collar
comprises at least two panels each comprising a planar interior surface
and a pivot joint located between each two of said planar panels, whereby
said collar may adjustably conform to and close over in cooperation with
fence posts which are rectangular in cross section, wherein at least one
said panel bears at least one said electrically conductive contact and at
least one hole for passing an elongate fastener through said panel.

15. A filamentary conductor support for a live conductor mounting
arrangement for mounting a live filamentary conductor to a fence,
comprising a panel comprising a planar interior surface and bearing at
least one conductor support tower projecting outwardly from and generally
perpendicularly from said panel, wherein said conductor support tower
comprises a conductor engagement structure which is dispose to engage and
retain a filamentary conductor, and a plurality of holes passing entirely
through said panel, for receiving fasteners to facilitate mounting said
filamentary conductor support to the fence.

16. The filamentary conductor support of claim 15, wherein: said
conductor engagement structure comprises a groove which encircles said
conductor support tower and is dimensioned and configured to receive the
filamentary conductor thereto; and said panel is rectangular in plan
view, has four corners, and bears one said hole at each said corner.

17. A set of components for mounting an electrically energized
filamentary conductor on a fence comprising vertical fence posts and
intended to be converted to an electrified fence using said set of
components, said set comprising: a plurality of electrically insulated
collars configured to partially encircle one of the posts of a fence,
wherein each said collar is disposed to partially encircle one post and
defines an inside surface which is disposed to face the post when said
collar partially encircles the post, an outside surface facing away from
the post when said collar partially encircles the post, and a
hypothetical center line which is located within the confines of said
inside surface and extends in a direction parallel to said inside
surface, comprises at least one fastener for engaging the post to secure
said collar to the post, and comprises at least one electrically
conductive contact which is disposed at said outside of said collar and
is movably mounted on said collar so as to accommodate minor
misalignments with another said electrically conductive contact; and a
plurality of filamentary conductor supports for supporting the
filamentary conductor on the fence, wherein each said filamentary
conductor supports comprises a panel bearing at least one conductor
support tower projecting generally perpendicularly from said panel,
wherein said conductor support tower comprises a conductor engagement
structure which is dispose to engage and retain a filamentary conductor,
and a plurality of holes passing entirely through said panel, for
receiving fasteners to facilitate mounting said filamentary conductor
support to the fence.

18. An electrified fence comprising: a plurality of vertically oriented
fence posts; a barrier element supported by at least one said fence post;
a gate mounted to at least one said fence post; at least one exposed
filamentary conductor mounted to and extending along said barrier element
and said gate; and a switching arrangement disposed to fully de-energize
that portion of said exposed filamentary conductor extending along said
gate responsively to said gate being moved to an open position, wherein
said switching arrangement is disposed to break electrical continuity of
said exposed filamentary conductor at two spaced apart points along the
length of said exposed filamentary conductor responsively to said gate
being moved to the open position.

19. The electrified fence according to claim 18, wherein said switching
arrangement comprises a first electrically conductive contact mounted to
said gate and an opposed second electrically conductive contact mounted
to one of a said fence post and said barrier element such that said first
electrically conductive contact is disposed in physical contact and
electrical continuity with said second electrically conductive contact
when said gate is closed, and said first electrically conductive contact
is disposed out of physical contact and electrical continuity with said
second electrically conductive contact when said gate is open.

20. The electrified fence according to claim 19, wherein said switching
arrangement comprises a third electrically conductive contact mounted to
said gate and an opposed fourth electrically conductive contact mounted
to one of a said fence post and said barrier element such that said third
electrically conductive contact is disposed in physical contact and
electrical continuity with said fourth electrically conductive contact
when said gate is closed, and said third electrically conductive contact
is disposed out of physical contact and electrical continuity with said
fourth electrically conductive contact when said gate is open.

21. The electrified fence according to claim 20, further comprising a
first exposed filamentary conductor which spans said gate and is
electrically connected to said first electrically conductive contact and
to said third electrically conductive contact such that opening said gate
establishes a double pole break condition which entirely de-energizes
said first exposed filamentary conductor along the gate.

22. The electrified fence according to claim 21, further comprising a
fifth electrically conductive contact mounted to said gate and an opposed
sixth electrically conductive contact mounted to one of a said fence post
and said barrier element such that said sixth electrically conductive
contact is disposed in physical contact and electrical continuity with
said fifth electrically conductive contact when said gate is closed, and
said fifth electrically conductive contact is disposed out of physical
contact and electrical continuity with said sixth electrically conductive
contact when said gate is open, a seventh electrically conductive contact
mounted to said gate and an opposed eighth electrically conductive
contact mounted to one of a said fence post and said barrier element such
that said seventh electrically conductive contact is disposed in physical
contact and electrical continuity with said eighth electrically
conductive contact when said gate is closed, and said seventh
electrically conductive contact is disposed out of physical contact and
electrical continuity with said eighth electrically conductive contact
when said gate is open, and a second exposed filamentary conductor which
spans and is electrically connected to said fifth resiliently urged
contact and to said opposed seventh resiliently urged contact, wherein
said second exposed filamentary conductor is electrically isolated from
and vertically spaced apart from said first electrical conductor, and the
gate.

[0003] Electric or electrified fences are used to deter unauthorized entry
into or egress from a fenced area. Electrical shock or the threat of
electrical shock is both actually present and also is made known. One
primary purpose of electric fences is to keep livestock such as cattle or
domestic pets such as dogs safely contained within a particular area or
enclosure and to discourage entry of predator animals. The animals become
conditioned to the electrified conditions and will not stray past the
fence. Predators may become similarly conditioned.

[0004] Fenced areas must occasionally be entered by authorized personnel,
who will typically enter the fenced area through a gate. Potentially
hazardous conditions must be modified to accommodate passage of the
personnel through a gate. Notably, power must be temporarily discontinued
while the gate is open.

[0005] To assure effectiveness of the electric fence, power must be
restored when the gate is closed.

[0006] Prior developments in electric fences have generally been directed
to facilities for livestock such as cattle and horses. The apparatus
developed for such electric fences generally offer limited versatility at
best regarding where an electrified conductor is to be placed on a fence,
in terms of height above ground. Existing apparatus for accommodating
passage through electrified gates have been centered around the concept
of single pole breaking of an energized conductor. This situation may
leave portions of conductors disposed on gates energized, which may be
hazardous to personnel.

[0007] The field of apparatus for mounting electrical conductors to and
managing interruptions such as gate openings leaves room for
improvements.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The present invention improves upon apparatus for electrifying
fences, and is particularly suitable for retrofitting non-electric fences
with exposed filamentary conductors to convert the fence to an
electrified fence. To this end, the invention provides components which
are readily mounted to fence posts, and which provide a switching
function, a support function for supporting an exposed wire or
filamentary conductor along the fence, or both.

[0009] It is contemplated that the most universally utilized component of
the novel apparatus is a conductor mount for supporting a movable
electrical contact, thereby satisfying the switching function. Generally
speaking, there are two forms of contacts. One is contacts which move in
a radial path relative to the fence post, which path would intersect the
center of the fence post to which their respective conductor mounts are
fastened. The other is contacts which move in a path which is generally
tangential to the fence post. The two types of contacts offer versatility
in allowing for operative switching action wherever there is a break in
continuity of the exposed conductor, such as at gates which must be
opened. The problem that must typically be addressed at breaks is to
assure that the movable contact of one conductor mount successfully
aligns with and comes to contact the movable contact of an adjacent
conductor mount. In practice, due to gate styles, gaps between stationary
fence posts and gates, fence posts which are not vertical, and other
disruptive influences, some adjustment is necessary to assure that
contacts which maintain electrical continuity when a gate is closed
actually make contact. The installer selects the more suitable type of
contact depending upon the particulars of any given pair of switching
contacts.

[0010] In addition to providing switching contacts to assure making and
breaking of the electrical circuit at gates, the novel apparatus may be
called on to support the weight of an exposed electrical conductor
without imposing this weight on the contacts. Such weight, if imposed on
contacts, would potentially inhibit the contacts from moving as intended
along their paths of motion. In order to provide a suitable support for
weight, a conductor mount may also bear a projecting support or tower.
The tower enables the installer to tie off an exposed filamentary
conductor so that its weight is not imposed on the movable contact.

[0011] There are a number of configurations of conductor mounts which may
be selected. Selection is based on cross sectional configuration of a
fence post or gate post to which the conductor mount is to be fastened.
One configuration is arcuate, so that it generally conforms to fence
posts which are circular in cross section along their length. Other
configurations include planar base panels. A conductor mount which
includes planar base panels may have a single planar base panel, two
planar base panels hinged to one another, or three planar base panels
hinged to one another. Conductor mounts including planar base panels are
advantageously used with fence posts which are square or rectangular in
cross section along their length, as the planar base panels seat flush
against flat fence post surfaces. It is also possible to utilize
conductor mounts having planar base panels for use with irregularly
configured fence posts, such as split rail fence posts.

[0012] In summary, an installer may select among a variety of mounting
configurations to best fasten to any given fence or gate post. The
installer may further select either one of two contact motion options to
assure meeting of opposed contacts at switch points at gates or other
places where electrical continuity is to be broken and reestablished.

[0013] According to another aspect of the invention, using the novel
conductor mounts, a two pole break situation may be established at gates.
That portion of the exposed filamentary conductor which extends along a
gate is fully de-energized when the gate is opened. Closing of the gate
automatically reestablishes electrical continuity both at the gate and of
course along the rest of the fence.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first configuration of a live
conductor mounting, according to at least one aspect of the invention.

[0015] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a second configuration of a live
conductor mounting, according to at least one aspect of the invention.

[0016] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a third configuration of a live
conductor mounting, according to at least one aspect of the invention.

[0017] FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic environmental top plan view showing a
spatial interrelationship of a component shown in FIG. 3 to its
environment.

[0018] FIG. 5 is a top plan detail view of components shown at the lower
right side of FIG. 3, shown to enlarged scale.

[0019] FIG. 6 is a top plan detail view of the lower right side of FIG. 1.

[0020] FIG. 7 is a top plan detail view corresponding to FIG. 7, but
showing components taken from FIG. 3.

[0021] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a fourth configuration of a live
conductor mounting, according to at least one aspect of the invention.

[0022] FIG. 9 is an environmental side elevational view of an electrified
fence which incorporates plural examples of the component of FIG. 1.

[0023] FIG. 10 is a top plan view of FIG. 9, depicted diagrammatically for
visual clarity.

[0024] FIGS. 11A through 11C show a Table of reference numerals.

[0025] Similar reference characters denote corresponding features
consistently throughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0026] The present invention is directed to a live conductor mounting
arrangement for mounting exposed electrically energized filamentary
electrical conductors on posts of existing fences so that the fence may
be converted to an electrified fence. More specifically, the present
invention sets forth conductor supporting apparatus which not only
enables ready mounting, but which also incorporates electrical contacts
having characteristics which accommodate fences of varying sizes and
distances between posts and minor misalignments of electrical contacts.
It should be understood at the outset that designation of a fence as
"electrified" signifies fences of the type provided with exposed
conductors for imparting electric shocks to animals, and not only fences
which are actually in an electrically energized condition. Similarly, as
the term "electrified" is applied to conductors utilized to carry
energizing electrical fields, a permanent or constant energized state is
not implied.

[0027] The invention is best understood by first considering four basic
conductor mountings. Turning first to FIG. 1, there is shown an
electrically insulated collar 100 which is configured to partially
encircle one of the posts of a fence, as further shown hereinafter. The
collar 100 is disposed to close adjustably over the post, and defines an
inside surface 120 which is disposed to face the post when the collar 100
partially encircles the post, and an outside surface 140 facing away from
the post when the collar 100 partially encircles the post. The collar 100
comprises at least one integral fastener for completing encirclement of
and engaging one of the posts of the fence. The fastener may comprise
elements of ratchet action cable ties of the type which are widely used
to bundle electrical cables. When fastened, the fasteners are disposed to
cause collar 100 to securely engage the post of the fence for example by
constricting over the post. The collar 100 may comprise fasteners such as
comprise fasteners 280, 300 each having a flexible arm which may be a
male arm bearing ribs, or alternatively, a socket or head 320 which
resists withdrawal by ratchet engagement of the ribs of the male arm once
the male arm has been inserted thereinto. The fastener 280 comprises a
ribbed stem which is engaged by ratchet action within the head 320 of the
fastener 300.

[0028] The fasteners 280, 300 may be joined or fixed to the body of the
collar 100 in any suitable way, such as by embedding in the constituent
material of the collar 100, sonic or ultrasonic welding, forming a
retaining loop (not shown) through which the slender body of the
respective fastener 280 or 300 is passed, or in any other suitable way.

[0029] The collar 100 comprises at least one electrically conductive
contact 160 which is disposed on the outside 140 of the collar 100, and
is movably mounted on the collar 100 so as to accommodate minor
misalignments with another electrically conductive contact. In the
example of FIG. 1, the enlarged head 180 of the electrically conductive
contact 160, which as depicted bears a curved contact surface, the curved
contact surface defining a dome, is constrained to move in a direction of
travel which is substantially oriented to pass through a theoretical
center line C of the post of the fence to which the collar 100 will be
mounted. The center line C when the collar 100 is in the orientation
shown in FIG. 1, which would be similar to the orientation in which the
collar 100 would be installed to a vertical fence post such as the fence
post 1180 shown in FIG. 9. The center line C may also be regarded as the
center line of the collar 100. Constraint of travel of the electrically
conductive contact 160 is accomplished by mounting the shaft 200 of the
electrically conductive contact 160 within a contact support tower 190
which is disposed to support and guide the electrically conductive
contact 160 to move linearly along the direction of travel. The direction
of travel of the electrically conductive contact 160 is indicated by an
arrow 220, and may coincide with the longitudinal axis of the shaft 200.

[0030] The collar 100 may also comprise at least one conductor tower 240
projecting to the outside 140 from within the collar 100. The conductor
tower 240 may comprise a conductor engagement structure such as a
circumferential groove 260 which is disposed to engage a filamentary
conductor (not shown) so as to secure the filamentary conductor to the
conductor tower 240. For filamentary conductors such as a sixteen gauge
wire, the filamentary conductor may be wound around the shaft 270 of the
conductor tower 240 and retained within the groove 260 formed therein.

[0031] It will be seen that the conductor tower 240 is angularly spaced
apart from the electrically conductive contact 160 when the collar 100 is
mounted on the post of the fence (see for example FIG. 9). Visible even
in the perspective view of FIG. 1, it may be seen that the angle of
displacement of the conductor tower 240 from the electrically conductive
contact 160 may be a perpendicular angle.

[0032] The collar 100 is mildly flexible and is generally arcuate along
its length, where the length is that dimension extending from a first
edge 340 to an opposed second edge 360, as depicted in FIG. 1.
Flexibility and arcuate configuration enable the collar 100 to adjustably
conform to fence posts which are circular in cross section.

[0033] Fences are conventionally constructed using posts which may be
circular in cross section, such as of steel tubes, or which may be
irregular, rectangular or square in cross section. These constructions
are typical of round post fences, rancher's fences, field fences, and of
precut lumber. Precut lumber may be of nominal dimensions of four inches
by four inches, for example. The collar 100 of FIG. 1 is suitable for
service with posts of circular cross section. To accommodate fence posts
which are rectangular, the present invention provides a comparable collar
400, which is functionally similar to the collar 100, but which is
adapted to accommodate fence posts of rectangular cross sectional
configuration.

[0034] FIG. 2 shows the collar 400. Because the collar 400 is functionally
the equivalent of the collar 100 apart from accommodating rectangular
fence posts, the collar 400 may have an electrically conductive contact
420 which may be structurally and functionally equivalent to the
electrically conductive contact 160, and a conductor tower 440 which may
be structurally and functionally equivalent to the conductor tower 240.
The electrically conductive contact 420 may be supported within a contact
support tower 460 which may be the structural and functional equivalent
of the contact support tower 190, having a central bore 480 extending
therethrough for receiving and guiding the shaft 500 of the electrically
conductive contact 420. A coil spring 520 may be disposed within the bore
480, the coil spring 520 therefore being contained within said contact
support tower.

[0035] The coil spring 520 may be disposed to urge the electrically
conductive contact 420 in a predetermined direction, such as outwardly,
away from the contact support tower 460 and away from the inside 540 of
the collar 400. This promotes contact with a corresponding associated
contact (as will be described hereinafter) even where there is minor
misalignment or slightly excessive spacing of the corresponding
associated contact. Although not shown, the collar 400 will include
suitable structure for retaining the electrically conductive contact 420
within the bore 480, thereby preventing escape of the electrically
conductive contact 420.

[0036] The feature which makes the collar 400 suitable for use with fence
posts of rectangular cross sectional configuration is then unlike the
collar 100 which has an arcuate inside 120, the inside 540 of the collar
400 comprises plural flat, straight sections, such as the sections 560,
580, and 600. Each section 560, 580, or 600 has a flat or planar interior
surface, such as the flat or planar interior surface 620 of the section
560. Each one of the flat sections 560, 580, or 600 is joined to an
adjacent flat section 560, 580, or 600 by a pivotal joint such as the
live hinge 640. The collar 400 may be fabricated by injection molding
using a synthetic resin, for example, so that thin strips of synthetic
resin may provide flexible joints such as the live hinge 640.

[0037] The collar 400 may have fasteners such as the tie cable ends 660,
680. Each one of the tie cable ends 660, 680 may have one end of a
conventional cable tie in a manner similar to that of the fasteners 280,
300 of FIG. 1.

[0038] The collar 400 may also have holes formed in its flat panels, such
as the sections 560, 580, and 600, for receiving fasteners, such as
screws, bolts, and nails (none shown), which may be driven into plastic
and wooden fence posts to facilitate mounting the collar 400 to a fence
post. One hole 610 is called out by reference numeral. The hole 610
passes entirely through the section 580 of the collar 400. However, it
will be appreciated that each flat panel, such as the sections 560, 580,
600 in the embodiment of FIG. 2, and any corresponding flat panels of
other embodiments, may have a plurality of holes, such as having one hole
at each corner of each flat panel as depicted in FIG. 2.

[0039] FIG. 3 shows a collar 700 which may be the functional and
structural equivalent of the collar 100, except that an electrically
conductive contact 720 provided as part of the collar 700 is arranged to
move in an orthogonal direction of travel (indicated by an arrow 740)
which is perpendicular relative to the direction of travel seen as the
arrow 220 of the electrically conductive contact 160 of the collar 100.

[0040] The electrically conductive contact 720 may comprise an elongated
tab 760 bearing a first hole 780 for seating a spring (see FIG. 5) and a
second hole 800 for engaging a filamentary electrical conductor
(described hereinafter). The electrically conductive contact 720 may be
mounted to the collar 700 in the following way. A base 820 affixed to the
collar 700 may support a retention head 840 connected to the base 820 by
a neck (not visible in FIG. 3, but of cross sectional area less than that
of the retention head 840 so as to fit within a slot 860 formed in the
tab 760). The tab 760 may be slidably entrapped between the base 820 and
the retention head 840, and constrained to move in the direction of
travel (as indicated by the arrow 740) within limits imposed by
dimensions of the slot 860 and the neck of the retention head 840.

[0041] This motion is also depicted diagrammatically in FIG. 4, wherein it
may be seen that the direction of travel (indicated by the arrow 740) is
substantially tangential to a circle 880 the center 900 of which is
coincident with the center line of the post P of the fence (not shown in
its entirety in FIG. 4) to which the collar 700 is mounted. Tangential
contact of the circle 880 is made by the longitudinal center line 920 of
the electrically conductive contact 720.

[0042] FIG. 5 shows details of engagement of the electrically conductive
contact 720 with its associated collar 700. The spring 940 engages the
first hole 780 formed in the tab 760 at a distal end of the spring 940,
and at the proximal end is suitably anchored to the collar 700, either at
the body thereof or at the base 820.

[0043] FIGS. 6 and 7 graphically illustrate contrast between respective
directions of travel of the electrically conductive contact 160 (as
indicated by the arrow 220) and of the electrically conductive contact
720 (as indicated by the arrow 740). The two directions of travel may be
compared as to their relationships with the centers C1, C2 of the posts
(not shown) to which the collars 100, 700 are respectively mounted.

[0044] Just as the collar 100, which is adapted for use with circular
fence posts, has an analogous counterpart adapted for use with
rectangular fence posts, as seen with the collar 400 of FIG. 2, so does
the collar 700 have an analogous counterpart adapted for use with
rectangular fence posts.

[0045] Referring now to FIG. 8, a collar 1000 is seen to comprise a body
(which is that part of the collar 1000 which engages a fence post) which
in turn comprises plural sections 1020, 1040, 1060, just as the body of
the collar 400 has sections 560, 580, 600. The collar 1000 may at its
body be the structural and functional equivalent of the collar 400, and
in its engagement with filamentary electrical conductors, may be the
structural and functional equivalent of the collar 100.

[0046] The sections 1020, 1040, and 1060 may be joined by live hinges in
the same way that the sections 560, 580, and 600 are mutually joined. The
collar 1000 may have fasteners 1080, 1100 which may be similar to the
fasteners 280, 300 of FIG. 1.

[0047] The collar 1000 may comprise a conductor tower 1120 which may be
for example a structural and functional equivalent of the conductor tower
240 of FIG. 1. The collar 1000 may comprise an electrically conductive
contact 1140 which may be the structural and functional equivalent of the
electrically conductive contact 720 of FIG. 3, including all mounting
structure.

[0048] The collars 100, 400, 700, and 1000 may be provided and utilized in
any number and combination as may be required for any particular
installation. Important variables in any particular installation that are
addressed by the collars 100, 400, 700, and 1000 include but are not
limited to the cross sectional configuration of fence posts, and also
issues of proximity and alignment, as these characteristics affect
contact and engagement of associated pairs of contacts, such as the
electrically conductive contacts 160, 420, 720, and 1140.

[0049] FIG. 8 also shows a feature of the collar 1000 which may be
provided for assuring that the contact 1005 not slip past a retention
head 1010 and be inadvertently lost. A retainer 1015 held on a flexible
tether 1025 may engage the retention head 1010 in any suitable way, such
as by snap fit. Although the retainer 1015 and its flexible tether 1025
are shown only for the collar 1000, it will be understood that any other
comparable collar of the present invention may be provided with a similar
feature.

[0050] The above examples of collars, such as the collar 100, provide a
basic understanding but do not limit varieties of collars which may be
provided according to the present invention. For example, collars may be
provided with conductor towers such as the conductor tower 240 in
locations other than those depicted, and further may be provided with
more than one conductor tower. For example, two conductor towers may be
provided at angular spacing of one hundred eighty degrees, so that there
is a conductor tower on each side of a collar. Locations and numbers of
contacts such as the electrically conductive contact 160 may similarly be
varied.

[0051] An exemplary installation is shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, wherein a
chain link fence 1160 is depicted. The chain link fence 1160 comprises a
plurality of fence posts 1180, 1200, gate posts 1220, 1240, barrier
elements 1260, 1280, and a gate 1300. A barrier element such as the
barrier elements 1260, 1280 will be understood to refer to permanent
barriers of their associated fence, as contrasted with a gate, which gate
can open to provide passage through the associated fence. Barrier
elements such as the barrier elements 1260, 1280 are supported by fence
posts such as the fence posts 1180 and 1200 such that the chain link
fence 1160 is supported on the ground G. Typically, a barrier element
spans two fence posts so as to be supported at two opposed ends of the
barrier element, although other arrangements are possible.

[0052] The fence posts 1180, 1200 and the gate posts 1220, 1240 are
vertically oriented, this being determined by orientation of their
respective longitudinal axes. An exemplary longitudinal axis 1320 is
called out for the gate post 1220, the remaining gate post 1240 and the
fence posts 1180, 1200 having similar respective axes not explicitly
called out.

[0053] The chain link fence 1160 may be conventional, and may include
hinges (not shown) for pivotally mounting the gate 1300, a latch (not
shown), and other conventional features (none shown). It should be
mentioned here that although reference is made to pivotal mounting of the
gate 1300, the inventive principles may apply to gates which are elevated
vertically to open, gates which are entirely removed from their
respective fences, gates which are pivoted about a horizontal axis, and
other arrangements for opening a gate (none of these options is shown).
Therefore, reference to mounting of a gate to its associated fence does
not necessarily imply structure affixing the gate to any portion of the
fence. For example, a gate (not shown) could be leaned against the
permanent portions of the fence and lifted away to afford passage. It
will be understood that for the purposes of the present invention, a gate
such as the gate 1300 is mounted to other portions of the fence, such as
the chain link fence 1160.

[0054] As described thus far, the chain link fence 1160 is not
electrified. The chain link fence 1160 as depicted has been converted to
an electrified fence by installation of certain novel components and
exposed filamentary conductors. The installation shown in FIG. 9 provides
a first electrified line located at a relatively high location on the
chain link fence 1160 and a second electrified line located at a
relatively low or alternatively stated, vertically spaced apart location
on the chain link fence 1160. The electrified line at the high location
may for example serve to deter large animals such as livestock from
attempting to contact the chain link fence 1160. The electrified line at
the low location may serve to deter smaller animals, particularly
predators such as snakes, foxes, and others, from burrowing beneath the
chain link fence 1160.

[0055] The first electrified line may comprise an exposed filamentary
conductor 1340 mounted to and extend along the upper bounds of the
barrier element 1260, and may extend generally horizontally the length of
the barrier element 1260. An exposed filamentary conductor 1360 may be
mounted to and extend along the gate 1300 in general horizontal alignment
with the exposed filamentary conductor 1340. An exposed filamentary
conductor 1380 may be mounted to and extend along the barrier element
1280 in general horizontal alignment with the exposed filamentary
conductors 1340 and 1360.

[0056] Although described as horizontal herein, the path of any exposed
filamentary conductor, such as the exposed filamentary conductors 1340,
1360, 1380, may be varied to suit different fence and gate configurations
and other conditions.

[0057] The exposed filamentary conductor 1340 may be supported at one end
by a collar 1400 and elsewhere along the barrier element 1260 by
conventional apparatus. The exposed filamentary conductor 1340 may be
wound around a conductor tower 1420 of the collar 1400 and may be
terminated or tied off at an electrically conductive contact 1440 of the
collar 1400 using a hole extending through the electrically conductive
contact 1440. The collar 1400 may be similar to the collar 100 of FIG. 1,
which shows a suitable hole 1460 for tying off or terminating a
filamentary conductor such as the exposed filamentary conductor 1340. It
may be said here that any electrically conductive contact of any collar
of those presented herein may have a corresponding hole for terminating
conductors.

[0058] The exposed filamentary conductors 1360 and 1380 may similarly be
supported by and terminated at corresponding collars 1480, 1500, and
1520. These collars 1400, 1480, 1500, and 1520 are each mounted to the
gate 1300 or to one of the barrier elements 1260 or 1280 by connection to
one of the fence posts 1180, 1200 or to one of the gate posts 1220, 1240.

[0059] The collars 1480, 1500, 1520 may be functionally and structurally
similar or identical to the collar 100, although modified as to provision
of an additional conductor tower such as the conductor tower 240 (see
FIG. 1) or variation of location of such a conductor tower.

[0060] The second electrified line, which as depicted comprises respective
exposed filamentary conductors 1540, 1560, 1580, may be supported on the
chain link fence 1160 in a manner similar to that of the first
electrified line, for example utilizing additional collars 1600, 1620,
1640, 1660, any of which may be similar to the collar 100 or variants
thereof as described.

[0061] The various collars described with respect to the installation of
FIG. 9 collectively form a switching arrangement disposed to fully
de-energize that portion of the electrified line, such as the exposed
filamentary conductor 1360, extending along the gate 1300. This switching
arrangement is disposed to break electrical continuity of the exposed
filamentary conductor 1360 at two spaced apart points along the length
thereof. These two spaced apart points are of course the right and left
ends of the exposed filamentary conductor 1360. The consequence of such
breakage of electrical continuity is that the entire exposed filamentary
conductor 1360 is entirely isolated from operating voltage of the
electrified fence, and hence is rendered safe for people to contact.

[0062] The switching arrangement described above includes pairs of
electrically conductive contacts such as the electrically conductive
contact 1440. An opposed electrically conductive contact 1680 completes
the contact pair necessary for completing and breaking the circuitry
established by the exposed filamentary conductors 1340, 1360. As better
seen in FIG. 10, the collars 1400, 1480 and their respective electrically
conductive contacts 1440, 1680 are in physical contact and electrical
continuity with one another when the gate 1300 is closed, and are out of
physical contact and electrical continuity when the gate 1300 is open.
The condition wherein the gate 1300 is closed is shown in solid lines in
FIG. 10. An alternative condition wherein the gate 1300 is open is shown
in broken lines. It will be seen that when the gate 1300 is open, the
electrically conductive contact 1680 moves to a location wherein a gap
1700 is established between the electrically conductive contacts 1440 and
1680. Physical contact and electrical continuity will be re-established
upon closing the gate 1300. Bearing in mind that similar switching action
occurs with the electrically conductive contacts 1720, 1740 of respective
collars 1500, 1520, it becomes apparent that the act of opening the gate
1300 automatically creates a double pole break condition which entirely
de-energizes the exposed filamentary conductor 1360 along the full span
of the gate 1300.

[0063] In the example of FIGS. 9 and 10, not only do the respective first,
second, third, and fourth electrically conductive contacts 1440, 1680,
1720, 1740 act to isolate the exposed filamentary conductor 1360 when the
gate 1300 is opened, but respective fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth
electrically conductive contacts 1760, 1780, 1800, 1820 of the collars
1600, 1620, 1640, 1660 perform a similar function with respect to the
1560, notably establishing a double pole break condition which entirely
de-energizes the exposed filamentary conductor 1560 along the length of
the gate 1300.

[0064] In FIG. 10, some components of the respective installations have
been omitted for clarity of the view, but will be understood to be
present. Illustratively, the fasteners such as the fasteners 280, 300
(see FIG. 1) have been omitted. Also, certain distortions have been
introduced for clarity of the view. Notably, in FIG. 10, the collars
1400, 1480, 1500 are not shown in contact with their respective fence
post 1180 and gate posts 1220, 1240, although when actually installed,
such contact would indeed occur. Again, this is for visual clarity of the
view.

[0065] Despite separation of these components in the depiction of FIG. 10,
it will be apparent that the respective collars 1400, 1480, 1500, and
1520 may adjustably conform to and close over in cooperation with the
respective fence post 1180 and gate posts 1220, 1240.

[0066] The invention may be thought of as a set of components for mounting
an electrically energized filamentary conductor on a fence comprising
vertical fence posts and intended to be converted to an electrified fence
using the set of components. The components of the set may be any one of
the conductor mounts described herein. It will further be appreciated
that the components described herein may be provided in many variations,
such as right and left handed versions, may have any desired number and
style of contacts such as the contact 160 and wire supports such as the
conductor tower 240, and any number of panels such as the sections 560,
580, 600.

[0067] It should be understood that items described herein in the singular
may be provided in the plural. For example, "a barrier", "a gate", and
the like signify at least one of the referenced items, and explicitly
contemplates both one and also more than one. The same meanings apply to
the phrase "at least one".

[0068] Each barrier element such as the barrier element 1260 of FIG. 9 may
share a fence post such as the fence post 1180 with an adjacent barrier
element, or alternatively, a barrier element may have its own dedicated
fence post (or of course both).

[0069] It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to
the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments
within the scope of the following claims.